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A good lip balm is hard to find. You want something that moisturizes and protects your lips, but also one that looks and feels nice (and if it can double as a lipstick or gloss, even better!). Personally, I use lip balms around the clock: before bed to moisturize overnight, in the morning to prep my lips for lipstick, and during the day to revive my lip colour.

I was presented with the opportunity to review Farmacy Beauty’s Lip Bloom in “Lavender Mint”, and was excited to give it a try. I’ve seen their products at Sephora, and have heard great things about their skincare made from farm-grown, hand-picked ingredients. Their trademarked ingredient (and one that can be found in their Lip Blooms) is Echinacea GreenEnvy (a variant of Echinacea Purpurea), which is a natural antioxidant that helps protect and firm the skin, and inhibit collagen breakdown. In fact, the Echinacea GreenEnvy is cultivated in upstate New York and travels only 2 hours to the Farmacy lab, where it is then cold-pressed. Farmacy’s Lip Blooms also contain Castor Seed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil for hydration, smoothness, and protection of the delicate skin on the lips.

So what do I think of the Lavender Mint Lip Bloom? Aside from the pretty (not overpowering) scent, what I love most about this product is its versatility. You can wear it as a lip balm on its own, pair it over top of a lipstick for a glossy shine, or even wear it on the eyelids over top or underneath eye shadow for a high-fashion, dewy finish. The packaging is simple, chic, and compact, making it perfect to throw in your purse or makeup bag. It applies smoothly and evenly, is a nice (not sticky) consistency, and leaves lips feeling soft and moisturized.

Lip Blooms are available for purchase on the Farmacy Beauty website and also in-store and online at Sephora. Other flavours include Strawberry Basil, Honey Ginger, Vanilla Mint, Citrus Lemongrass, and Apple Rosemary. Yum!

Have you tried Farmacy’s Lip Blooms, or any of their other products? Let me know in the comments below!

*Product provided for consideration. All thoughts and opinions are honest and are my own.

I am excited and grateful to have been invited to attend a preview of the new Joe Fresh Beauty collection last week (available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores now!). There were yummy treats, fancy drinks, gorgeous flowers, and lots of amazing new beauty products to test out. The collection is seriously impressive, with products that will take you from a day at the office, to a night out on the town, without breaking the bank (products range from just $8.00 to $18.00). The brand even has a signature “Five Minute Face” routine that’s simple, effective, and will enhance your natural beauty.

So let’s be real, as a beauty lover I wanted everything I saw at the preview. There were so many innovative, fun products, and I’d love to tell you about all of them. But, for this post I thought I’d highlight my top 3 must-haves from the new collection (plus a few extra honorable mentions!), alongside some pictures from the event. Products are shown above in order of discussion below. Let’s get started!

1.Joe Fresh Highlighter Powder $8.00

I was drawn to this product right away (let’s just say it was love at first swatch). This highlighting powder is a rich, velvety consistency with impressive colour payoff. Available in two colours: Champagne (pink-toned) and Luster (gold-toned), simply apply to your cheek or brow bones with your fingers or a brush for an instant, gorgeous glow. I also love that it can double as an eyeshadow! And, while we’re on the topic of highlighting, I can’t help but talk about my love of the new Joe Fresh Illuminating Primer (shown to the left of the Highlighting Powders in the picture below). At just $16.00, these primers are a gorgeous, light reflecting formula that hides imperfections and creates a glowing canvas for your makeup. Choose from “Pure Glow” or “Champagne”; you can even use it on your body as well!

2.Joe Fresh Lip Crème $12.00

Well known-fact: I’m a lip-product junkie. The bolder the hue, the better. These Lip Crèmes are beautifully pigmented and long-lasting, and come in 6 different shades. With the colour payoff of a lipstick, and the application of a lipgloss, these fun hybrids help condition your lips while providing a medium-shine finish. And, if you’re someone who prefers a more natural look and wear for your lip products, be sure to check out the Long Wear Lip Veils: lighter weight and sheerer than the Lip Crèmes with a natural looking finish.

3.Joe Fresh Precision Liquid Eyeliner $8.00

I use a liquid liner nearly every single day, changing up the style to match my mood: feeling fancy? Winged, obviously! What I love about this liner is it’s unique triangular shape, allowing it to sit perfectly and steadily in your hand. At just $8.00, this liner is an incredible value for money. It produces a rich, pigmented black line without needing to tug or pull on your lids. It’s also water resistant, formaldehyde free, and paraben free. And, while we’re on the topic of eyes, I also recommend checking out the Joe Fresh Tinted Brow Fix ($12.00): a wax-based cream that makes grooming and filling in your brows as easy as the swipe of a wand!

What will you try from the Joe Fresh Beauty collection? Let me know in the comments below!

After reading all the rave reviews and seeing swatches online, I purchased this palette during the most recent Sephora VIB sale. The 12 shadows are a gorgeous, creamy texture, and are impressively pigmented. The colours range from light neutrals to darks, making it extremely versatile (and perfect to keep in your purse to help transition your look from day-to-night). I also love the packaging: super chic and girly!

New from Dove, this antiperspirant sprays on (as opposed to a glide-on stick formula), dries instantly, and lasts up to 48 hours while moisturizing the skin. I admit that upon purchasing it, I was a little skeptical that a spray could be as effective as a stick deodorant. But I was pleasantly surprised when, 14 hours later, the pretty floral scent (water lily, freesia, and jasmine) was still present. I also love that, because it dries instantly, you don’t get any white deodorant marks on your clothes (finally!).

I love this product so much, that I actually wear it in place of lipstick some days. Not only does it smell amazing (exactly like its namesake states), it is also super moisturizing (thanks to shea butter and almond oil) and long-wearing.

I originally went into Payless Shoe Source looking to use a coupon I received during a previous visit. I had my sights set on a pretty pair of floral pumps, but sadly my size was absent. I then spotted these on the top shelf, and as soon as I tried them on, I knew it was meant to be. These are, by far, one of the comfiest pairs of shoes I’ve ever owned. They are super easy to walk in thanks to the wedge heel, and go with nearly everything: jeans, dresses, and ankle pants.

When it comes to bracelets, t-shirts, or nearly anything adorned with a positive saying, I need to have it. I’m also a big believer in the idea that everything comes our way in life for a reason. I received this bangle as a gift, which has since sparked a slight Alex and Ani obsession (I Instagramed about some of my others here). As someone who has ridiculously small wrists, I love that I can adjust these bangles to fit perfectly, and also that each one has its own special meaning.

What have you been loving these last couple of months? Let me know in the comments below!

Today’s gift is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, an award-winning product that is a serious multi-tasker, and a must-have for any woman’s makeup bag (men can use it too!). Created in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden herself, she even used it to soothe her thoroughbred horses’ legs! Some of the many uses for this product (for humans) are:

-Moisturize dry hands and feet.

-Soothe chapped lips.

-Use as in in-flight moisturizer to prevent dry skin.

-Calm sunburns.

-Comfort minor scrapes and skin abrasions.

-Condition cuticles.

-Shape eyebrows.

-Add shine to legs, cheeks, and lips (you know that “glossy eyelid” look you find in magazines? Many makeup artists use this product to achieve the look!).

Can you believe it’s May already?! That means summer is slowly but surely on it’s way. It also means it’s time for me to share some of my favourite things from the months of March and April. Let’s get to it!

For me, these are the crème de la crème of all leggings. First, they are amazing quality: a thick cotton/rayon/spandex combo ensures you don’t have to worry about sheer tights that give the world a peep-show. Second, the ultra-wide waistband hits your waist at the perfect height allowing for ultimate comfort (and, because no one likes “muffin-top”!). Yes, they may cost you a little more than your typical $10.00 leggings (these retail for $35.00 CDN), but I promise you, once you try these, you’ll want to invest in a pair in every colour (navy, black, and brown), and purge the rest of your legging collection.

I’d been toying with the idea of purchasing a Sonicare toothbrush for quite some time. After a bad experience with whitening strips (major, painful tooth sensitivity), I started looking into Sonicare’s HealthyWhite model. The HealthyWhite toothbrush comes with claims that, with everyday use, you “can get two shades whiter in just two weeks”. I was a little hesitant because of the price (average price being $130.00-$150.00 CDN). I’d only ever spent $3.00-$5.00 on toothbrushes at the drugstore. So, I combined by sale-watching and couponing skills, and waited for the perfect moment to pounce. Here comes the fun part. I purchased my Sonicare at Shoppers Drug Mart (the Walgreens or CVS of Canada). The regular price of this toothbrush was $149.00, and it went on sale for $119.00. Then, I used a manufacturer’s coupon for $15.00, and combined it with a one-day-only store coupon for $20.00 (the total cost now down to $85.00). I then redeemed $80.00 worth of Shoppers Optimum Points (rewards program), and ended up paying $5.00 for this baby (97% off of retail!). Great deal aside, this toothbrush is life-changing, and looking back, (and knowing what I know now), it is totally worth its full retail price. The built-in timer (2.5 minutes in whitening mode) ensures that you’re brushing the dentist-recommended amount of time, a single charge lasts a very reasonable amount of time, and the way your teeth feel after brushing is exquisite. In terms of whitening, I can definitely say I (and other people, yay!) have noticed a difference. All in all, this toothbrush comes from me to you as highly recommended.

You know the saying “a little bit goes a long way”? It’s probably a good idea to keep that in mind when it comes to this product. All you need is a teeny-tiny amount, and you’re good to go (for the whole day). Not only is this liquid lipstick extremely pigmented, it’s also extremely long-lasting. I’ve been loving this gorgeous fuchsia colour, which is the perfect combination (and statement-maker) with a simple wing-lined eye. Another thing I love about this product, is the great built-in applicator, which ensures you’re able to “colour within the lines”. Because you need so little product, one tube should last you a very long time. The next colour on my wish list is “Melted Violet”.

Perfect for everyday, this duo comes with 2 buildable eyeshadows: a shimmery champagne colour, and a rich bronze. These shadows apply as a cream (thick, pigmented colour), but wear as a powder (long wear, blendable, and anti-creasing). Even better? They are formulated to have anti-aging and de-puffing benefits!

In the tube, this colour looks a smidge intimidating (a deep burgundy/brown tone), but personally, I see these types of lipsticks as a fun challenge. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the everyday wearability of this lipstick (think deep-neutral), not to mention the amazing moisturizing benefits. Much like Clinique’s Black Honey, it’s unique colour makes it universal for almost any skin tone. I’ve mentioned my love of these lip butters before, and I’m happy to have added this beauty to my growing collection.

For some reason, I fell off the “shave gel” train a long time ago, and ever since, have been using basic body wash to shave my legs. Recently, I decided to purchase this beautifully-scented (pink roses, calla lily and lavender) shave gel and was forced to ask, “where have you been all my life?”. This product allows for the closest, smoothest shave possible, prevents annoying cuts, and leaves your skin perfectly moisturized.

This product is a re-purchase, and has been my go-to makeup remover for a few years now. Though you can use it by itself as a cleanser before moisturizing, I use it to remove my makeup prior to washing my face with another (different brand) product. I’ve yet to find a cleanser that removes makeup as well as this does (including waterproof makeup). It is great for oily skin, and a little bit of product goes a long way, so one bottle will last you at least a few months.

I’ve heard great things about this product, and since I’m in need of a new moisturizer, I decided to give it a try. I’m typically hesitant about trying new brands and products when it comes to skincare as I have sensitive/acne prone skin. However the fact that this cream is oil-free, fragrance free, non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores), and is listed as “safe for sensitive skin”, eased my concern. My only wish is that it contained some sort of sun protection. I’ll be sure to provide a review in a future post!

Nars products are quickly adding up on my “favourites” list. I currently use their bronzer, blush, eyeshadow primer, eyeliner, and lipgloss (just to name a few), and so I thought I’d give their concealer a try as well. I mostly wanted this concealer to use in my under-eye area, so it was important to find a perfect colour-match. Luckily, this product comes in a variety of colours to match any skin tone. Because my skin is more yellow-toned than pink, I find that some products oxidize on my face, and by the end of the day, I look orange (not flattering). I have had the chance to try this concealer since purchasing, and am happy to report that the “Custard” shade matches my skin perfectly (this is also thanks to the great descriptions on Sephora’s website). I have had no issues with creasing or smudging, and am happy with the medium-to-full coverage it provides. Definitely another Nars product I intend on repurchasing when I run out.

This set is an incredible value for your money. For just $12.00, you’re getting 2 full-sized High Shine Eyecolours (normally one on its own retails for $15.00!). The colours are beautiful neutrals that can be worn every day: “Meteorite” is a beautiful shimmery neutral-plum tone, and “bronzed” is a shimmery brown-gold tone (I guess the name “bronzed” sort of speaks for itself!). The built-in applicator makes it perfect for travelling or keeping in your purse. Interested in this set? Grab it soon: it is limited edition! I’m really excited to try these out, and will follow up regarding wear/creasing in a future post.

**5. Freebies!**

A. Sephora Earbuds

I’m not going to lie, I was a little too excited when I realized I would get these free with my purchase. Cute, compact, and contained within a velvet carrying case, these are one of the best gift-with-purchases I’ve ever received. Interested in a pair of your own? Check out my previous post, here.

B. Sample Trio: Hourglass, Givenchy, and Marc Jacobs

I’m a big fan of the deluxe samples that Sephora offers: 1. because they allow you to try a fair-sized amount of product before you decide to invest in the full-size, and 2. because who doesn’t like free stuff?! I received this fun trio of products for free with my purchase (I made 2 separate orders, and was able to take advantage of free shipping).

The trio included the following:

1. Marc Jacobs Beauty Lash Lifter-Gel Definition Mascara

2. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

3. Givenchy Le Rouge in “202 Rose Dressing”

I’ve heard great things about all 3 of these products, especially the primer.